Fuji Pigment Develops Toxic-Metal-Free QD Manufacturing Process

Quantum dots under UV Light. Courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Fuji Pigment Co. Ltd.
Generally QDs are made of semiconductor materials that are expensive and toxic, especially Cd, Se, and Pb. Such toxic heavy metals are even prohibited for use in some industrial areas. Fuji Pigment said its toxic-metal-free QDs exhibit a high light-emitting quantum efficiency and stability comparable to the toxic metal-based quantum dots.

Quantum yield of the carbon QDs currently exceeds 45 percent, and the company said Mori is still pursuing higher quantum efficiency. Quantum yield of the graphene quantum dot is over 80 percent.

Also known as QDs. Nanocrystals of semiconductor materials that fluoresce when excited by external light sources, primarily in narrow visible and near-infrared regions; they are commonly used as alternatives to organic dyes.